No Malcolm as Fukofuka makes seven Scotland changes for France

Scotland head coach Sione Fukofuka has made a whopping seven changes to his starting side for France’s visit to Edinburgh.

The team’s captain, Rachel Malcolm, who was a late withdrawal ahead of Scotland’s 41-14 loss to Italy in Round 3 of the 2026 Guinness Women’s Six Nations, is not included in the match day 23.

As a result Helen Nelson captains the team from fly-half and Emma Wassell serves as vice-captain.

Changes to the match day squad include Leah Bartlett and Elis Martin’s inclusion in the front-row. Elliann Clarke maintains her place at tighthead prop.

Elsewhere in the pack Louise McMillan is included at second row, where she will earn her 60th Test cap alongside Wassell. Becky Boyd gets her first start of the Championship at No.8.

In the backs Rachel Phillips is at outside centre for her first international start. She will become Meryl Smith’s fourth midfield partner in as many games this calendar year.

After she missed the Italy game due to concussion protocols, Rhona Lloyd is installed on the right wing. Francesca McGhie moves to the left wing and Shona Campbell takes a place among the replacements.

Scotland match day squad v France

15 Chloe Rollie (Toulon Provence Méditerranée, 84 caps)
14 Rhona Lloyd (Sale Sharks, 64 caps)
13 Rachel Phillips (Sale Sharks, 2 caps)
12 Meryl Smith (Bristol Bears, 25 caps)
11 Francesca McGhie (Trailfinders Women, 28 caps)
10 Helen Nelson (Loughborough Lightning, C, 78 caps)
9 Leia Brebner-Holden (Loughborough Lightning, 18 caps)
1 Leah Bartlett (Sale Sharks, 52 caps)
2 Elis Martin (Loughborough Lightning, 29 caps)
3 Elliann Clarke (Bristol Bears, 27 caps)
4 Emma Wassell (Trailfinders Women, VC, 76 caps)
5 Louise McMillan (Saracens, 59 caps)
6 Holland Bogan (Glasgow Warriors/Stirling County, 3 caps)
7 Eva Donaldson (Sale Sharks, 24 caps)
8 Becky Boyd (Loughborough Lightning, 4 caps)

Replacements

16 Aicha Sutcliffe (Glasgow Warriors/Stirling County, uncapped)
17 Demi Swann (Exeter Chiefs, 3 caps)
18 Molly Poolman (Edinburgh Rugby/Watsonian FC, 10 caps)
19 Hollie Cunningham (Bristol Bears, 5 caps)
20 Emily Coubrough (Glasgow Warriors/University of Edinburgh, 2 caps)
21 Rhea Clarke (Bristol Bears, 2 caps)
22 Lucia Scott (Loughborough Lightning, 10 caps)
23 Shona Campbell (Sale Sharks, 12 caps)